The Improbable Providence of Christ
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After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias ). And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing by healing the sick.
So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples. Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near.
Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him, He asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do.
Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
“There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000.
Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.”
So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign He had done, they said, “This really is the Prophet who was to come into the world!”
Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.
The Need: Five thousand plus people in need of food.
The Problem: The Disciples do not have enough money to buy food for everyone.
The Test: Jesus asks Philip, “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” (v.5)
Luke 6:37 Jesus says to the Disciples, “You give them something to eat.”
Why did Jesus test the disciples with this situation? Did they believe in Him? Did they have faith in Him yet? He did it so that they may believe in Him.
Andrew’s Solution: “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish” (v.9).
Andrew is the only one who provides a possible solution, as impossible as it is “but what are they for so many?” (v.9).
Point: Believe in the providence of Christ, He will never desert His people.
Does what I do make a difference? Does what I do matter?
Have you ever felt like you do not matter? Have you ever felt like it does not matter what you do? Or things are too far gone for you to do anything or make a difference? Or whatever you may have to contribute would not make a hill of beans difference to anyone or anything? That mountain is just too big to move? What am I, what can I do, in regards to this Mount Everest before me?
I have found myself in many such situations as a father, a husband, and as a pastor. I have felt helpless with a dying wife, unethical and ungodly institutional decisions and practices, and impotent words to encourage, build up, and give hope. I have seen and experienced the damage of unwise choices and been in a position of helplessness and hopelessness.
And the drum beats on… I have prayed and sought solace and solution in the Lord Jesus only to hear silence. Dare I even say the situation continues and/or becomes even worse. The impossible evolves to improbable. How do you continue on? What diffence can I make? Do I really matter? What can be done? Does God even see me? Does God care?
Yes…God does care. Yes…God does see me. Yes…God does hear me. And, yes, I do matter and yes, I can, and do make a difference. Just as the boy presented his five barley loaves and two fish, our little can help make a big difference, in the hands of God.
The thing of biggest impact about the story of the feeding of the five thousand is that nobody went away hungry. The Bible records that everyone had all they wanted and ate until they were satisfied. The picture is not of just staving off hunger for an hour, and going back to the cupboard. But one of being deeply fulfilled, and slipping into the commatose state until the next Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Plain and simple, Jesus met the emergency! Nobody starved. Everybody was feed and abundantly stuffed! This Jesus foreknew what He was going to do. As the Scripture states,
When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
What Jesus foreknew what He was going to do is a demonstration of the providence of God. Providence meaning God’s continuing action by which He preserves and guides all creation to His intended purposes. In Latin, the word providere, from which we get providence, literally means to foresee. So literally, God foresees all, guides all, and preserves all, for His intended purposes.
And Ezra said: “You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, and the host of heaven worships you.
He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
Hebrews 1:3 (HCSB)
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word.
Being Jesus’ children, we can never be seperated from Him, by His preserving hand,
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish —ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
Being Jesus’ children, we are not spared from danger or trial, but preserved within it (Mt. 24:15-31; 1 Peter 1:6; 7; 4:12-13). Pslam 91 is a great word of encouragment in our times of trial and trouble, speaking of the providence and preservation of God.
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
The people following Jesus were preserved in trial. They were in need of food, there was not enough supply, so Jesus provided by His providence. The people had no need to worry, Jesus already knew what He was going to do. Did the disciples have the faith to believe in Jesus, that was the issue. Jesus would use this miracle to point to the reality of His divinity. Would the disciples believe? Would the people believe? Will we believe? Just as Jesus did not desert the hungry five thousand, He will not desert us in our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Where is God’s Providence?
Story of Transport
As our family was expanding, literally Lynnette was pregnant with Jordyn, Lynnette and I realized we needed a different vehicle. Need and reality are often two different things. Finacially, purchasing a new used vehicle was not a possibility. I was stressed about the growing issue, but Lynnette was at ease, God would provide. Well a week later, God did provide. Prime Minister Chretien sent me an unexpected check which provided a new used Pontiac Transport. Awesome!
Awesome until a month later I get a bill, from Prime Minister Chretien for the exact amount! I was flabergaster! I knew the truth, “If it’s too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.”, and that’s why I held onto the cheque for a month in a half and inquired with the government if this was indeed our money. They said yes, it was owed. Unbeknownest to us, the government had done some creative accounting in regards to our Child Tax Benefit and switched the benefit from me to Lynnette. They issued a cheque and the bill was in the mail!
Long story short, I chatted with the government, explained the situation, made repayment arrangements and had an interest free car loan from the government! Even in the midst of trial and tribulation, God will extend His providence and preserve His children. Jesus knew how he was going to answer our prayer, just not in the way we expected! He rescued us in our time of need.
Has Jesus provided for you in a time of need? How has He extended His providence with provision? Jesus knew there was this boy with five loaves and two fishes. He was providentially in the place he was, at the time he was, with what he had for God’s glory! Andrew expresses our same doubts, in situations that seem impossible to address, “Where are we to go? What are we going to do? We do not have the resources, or the ability, to meet this need.” Jesus already has it handled, He wants to know if we will believe in Him, trust Him, follow Him. Trust in His providence.
The Boy with the Fish and Loaves
Who was the boy with the fish and loaves? He was/is you and me. One that maybe nobody knows. Not anyone of significance. We just go about and live our lives in relative obscurity. We pack a lunch. We do not dine on filet magnon. No one looks upon us with regard or importance, until God calls us forth for what we do offer, what He exactly needs at that point, in that situation, and in that time. Are we available so Jesus can work a miracle through what He given us to bring to the table? We have to offer ourselves, so that He can use us and our talents, ability, heart, hope, and love.
As Rev. Charles Spurgeon has said,
If all you have is very little-just that pennyworth of loaves and fishes-use that properly and you will do your Master service!
Even if that which you bring is thought to be of little significance, God can make it into significance! Jesus feed five thousand plus people, probably like 15000 (multiplying by a minimum of 1 wife and 1 child), from 2 fishes and five loaves. How much more can/will He do with what you bring? The strategy of the Devil is to get you to think that what you have to offer is of little help, or will make little difference. That’s why many believers of Christ are powerless and standing on the sidelines in the battle for the souls of this world-what difference can I make? Bring what little fish and loaves we have, Jesus provides the banquet!
Take note of the boys heart, he gave what he had. They did not have to poke and prod the boy to give his fish and loaves, he simply offered them. The boy was not selfish. He could have kept it for himself, after all they were his. He earned it probably. He needed it for the day ahead. Maybe he was the smart one who planned well ahead. He had all the right to keep the fish and loaves for himself, but he gave all he had. What happened? He received back more than he could ever have imagined, and the others benefited from his unselfishness. Anything that you and I take away from ourselves and give to Christ will be well invested, often bringing back an abundance beyond our imaginations!
Not every person receives the same reward, but an unselfish person will receive such rewards that one cannot fathom, as they serve Christ and His purposes. “Stay not to number your deficiences-bring what you have and let all that you are, body, soul, and spirit-be associated with Christ.” -Rev. Charles Spurgeon
Question: when you serve Christ, do you hold onto what you give? When you give yourself to Christ, am I His property? When the boy gave the loaves and fish to Jesus, they were now His, and Jesus took possession of them. They were not on loan, they were Jesus’ to make due with them as He saw fit, not as the boy saw fit. How many times do we put restrictions on the use of our gifts for Christ? How much more could be accomplished if we simply gave and did as He desires? What a multiplication could be accomplished! Have we truly put our loaves and fishes into His hands? Our knowledge, our ability, our talents, our influence, our position, our resources, and our hands.
What we give, Jesus will accept because He took the loaves and fishes from the boy. There will always be a need for the services, gifts and talents of God’s servants. There will never be a lack of need. But even if we should cower, Jesus will provide from little with plenty! Did you know that Jesus loves us not for what we are, but for what He will yet make us! Jesus blesses our service, gifts, and talent not because of their worth, but because of His power to make them worthy! Jesus blessed the boys gifts and multiplied those gifts of the fish and loaves, for the benefit of everyone! Are we miserly with the gifts Jesus has given to us? Who are we blessing with what Jesus has give to us? Are we blessing people with our voices, our heads, and our hearts?
Notice that after the fish and loaves were given, accepted, and blessed by Christ, then the increase came! We do not serve and give because of the promised outcome, are the profit at the end of the day. We should serve and give because we love Jesus and want His will. When this is our mindset and attitude, Jesus will bring the increase. When we give of ourselves, expect Jesus to distribute what we give.
Question: If you can believe that Jesus can feed fifty, can you believe He can feed 5000? Five million? Five hundered million if it pleases Him? What amount of belief do you have? Is Jesus the Bread of Life or not?
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.
Jesus removes misery and provides life. The people’s misery was removed because a boy unselfishly gave what he had to the Lord. He provided the water, Jesus turned it into wine. Am I willing to give what I have and am, so that Jesus can turn it into wine, and bring glory to Him? Is Jesus Christ a Prophet? Then let us make Him King! Do we recognize, as the people did, the incredible sign of His divinity? A prophet like Moses, but more than just a prophet, very God, raised up to provide salvation for His people and the world?
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet.
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable.
Am I willing to trust in Jesus’ providential work and offer my loaves and fishes, no matter how little or insignificant they might seem to be, for His glory? There will always be more results than we can imagine!